That some perfidious Roman foe am I,

Avenge within my bosom your affront,

And in its blood your hands and weapons dye!

[He hurls one sword from his hand.

Of these two swords take one, and quick confront

My fury wild, my grief that rageth high;

For, dying in the fight, we will not know

The keenest rigour of the final blow!

And he who cuts the other's vital thread,